Current state of interventional procedures to treat pernicious placenta previa accompanied by placenta accreta spectrum: A review

Abstract

Pernicious placenta previa (PPP) accompanied by placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a life-threatening placental implantation that causes a variety of complications, including antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, hemorrhagic shock, preterm birth, and neonatal asphyxia. Along with continuous improvements in medical technology, interventional procedures have been widely used to prevent intraoperative hemorrhage associated with PPP. The commonly used interventional procedures include abdominal aorta clamping, prophylactic balloon occlusion of the internal or common iliac arteries, and uterine artery embolization. The above-mentioned interventional procedures have their respective advantages and disadvantages. The best procedure for different situations continues to be debated considering the complex pattern of blood supply to the uterus in patients with PPP. The specific choice of interventional procedure depends on the clinical situation of the patient with PPP. For grade III PAS, the need for uterine artery embolization is assessed based on blood loss and preoperative hemostatic effect following abdominal aorta clamping. Repair or hysterectomy may be performed following uterine artery embolization if there is a hybrid operating room for grade III PAS patients with extensive sub-serosal penetration of the uterus and repair difficulty. For grade II PAS (shallow placental implantation), prophylactic balloon occlusion may not be necessary before surgery. Uterine artery embolization can be performed in case of postoperative hemorrhage.